Eating simple starches such as bread, sweets, citrus, and soda exposes you to tooth decay as you may have learned by visiting your Colorado Springs Dentist. One might think that staying away from candy and other sugars will help keep the teeth healthy, but there is more to healthy teeth than by simply staying away from these foods and below we explore some superfood options for you.

Cheese helps protect teeth from acid erosion. This superfood is rich in calcium and helps with tooth discoloration from harmful foods such as coffee and wine. Eating white cheese after a meal is best to counteract leftover acid from other foods and provide nutrients for stronger bones as well.

Although oranges are considered an acidic fruit, they are also full of vitamin C and help strengthen blood vessels and connective tissue that are vital in slowing down the progression of gum disease and helps reduce inflammation. Drinking water immediately after consuming an orange will help wash out acid residue. A good rule of thumb is to wait to brush your teeth a minimum of 30 minutes after eating any food high in acid content.

Dark chocolate may come as a surprise to you when talking about superfoods to protect your teeth. Chocolate that is at least 70% cacao has a compound called CBH and helps harden tooth enamel. This can help your teeth be less susceptible to tooth decay and can help prevent cavities. Be mindful when consuming dark chocolate and make sure that it's not full of sugar such as milk chocolate to get the full benefit of this superfood.

Water can aid in reducing plaque by rinsing away food debris and stains, acting as an added protectant in between brushing sessions. Your saliva is made up of 99.5% water and it neutralizes bacterial acid in the mouth. Dehydration thickens saliva which is why it is important to keep hydrated to help saliva produce more and prevent tooth decay, bad breath, and dry mouth by acting as a neutralizer.

Black and green tea are another food group that carries a stereotype. Polyphenols are known to kill and suppress bacteria that cause plaque and damage your teeth which are found in black and green tea and are great as cavity-fighting properties by working against acid buildup and sugars that feed bacteria. Tea is great after a meal or even during a meal to help protect teeth and also carries small amounts of natural fluoride.

There are many more superfoods that help protect your teeth in combination to staying away from harmful foods as well. As your Dentist in Colorado Springs, we recommend you try to incorporate these foods into your daily routine to help with the protection of your teeth.